Chapter 20
CHAPTER 20
HAYES
T he morning sunlight filtered through the villa’s massive windows, casting golden rays across the room. We had left the curtains open last night so we could lie in bed and stare at the stars in comfort. I cracked an eye open. The sight was nothing short of paradise. Waves crashed faintly in the distance. For a moment, I didn’t move. Dixie was still asleep beside me, her hair spread across the pillow like a halo. She looked so peaceful, so content.
A soft knock on the door broke the moment. I carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to wake her. Grabbing the robe from the chair, I wrapped it around myself and padded quietly through the villa. Opening the door, I found a tray laden with specialty coffees, freshly cut tropical fruit, and pastries. The aroma alone made me grin.
She was going to love this.
I carried the tray back to the bedroom, setting it on the bedside table before sliding open the massive glass doors. The breeze swept in, cool and salty, rustling the curtains and filling the room with the scent of the ocean.
Dixie stirred, stretching languidly like a cat, before her eyes fluttered open. Her gaze fell on the tray, and she grinned. “Good morning to me,” she said, sitting up and pulling the sheet around her.
“Good morning for both of us,” I said, handing her one of the coffees. She took it eagerly, bringing the steaming cup to her lips.
“Did you go out and get this?” she asked.
“Nope. Delivered to the door.”
“Wow. That’s really five-star service.”
“Only the best for the Bancrofts,” he said with a laugh. “I’m sure Kathy made sure every detail was taken care of, including breakfast.”
We sat cross-legged on the bed, sharing bites of fruit and flaky pastries. Every now and then, her fingers brushed mine as we reached for the same piece, and each time I felt a jolt of electricity.
“This is perfect,” she said. “I still can’t believe people really live like this.”
“Being rich is awesome.” I chuckled, setting down my coffee. “But this is an occasional luxury. Not an everyday thing.”
Dixie’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Must be nice.”
“It has its pros and cons,” I said, reaching for a plump grape. “But right now, the only pro I care about is being here with you.”
“Smooth talker.”
“Always,” I replied. I leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss before popping the grape into her mouth.
She giggled softly. “Will you be feeding me all of my meals in bed? I’m not complaining. Just wondering if I should have brought sexier pajamas.”
“The sexiest thing you can wear to bed is me,” I said.
“I like the sound of that.”
Being there with her was perfect. It wasn’t just the villa and the location. It was her. The way she smiled when she thought no one was looking. The way her laughter was quick and real. I wanted to capture it all, bottle it up, and keep it close forever.
And that terrified me.
I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was constant, all-consuming, and absolutely unlike me. I was losing it. I’d never been the type to fumble or chase anyone, but for her? I’d do just about anything. Dance naked at a wedding? If it made her smile, I’d consider it. Hell, I went swimming in the ocean buck naked last night. I knew there were fish everywhere, but it didn’t freak me out. I was too busy chasing her beautiful ass through the water.
“How’d you sleep?” I asked, needing to distract myself before I said something ridiculous.
“Like a baby,” she said, popping a piece of pineapple into her mouth. “Between the sound of the waves and that cloud of a bed, I don’t think I moved all night. You?”
“Same,” I lied. In truth, I’d spent half the night staring at her, wondering how the hell I’d gotten so lucky.
“So,” I said, clearing my throat. “What do you want to do today? Kathy’s probably going to set up shop by the pool. I’m guessing Ginger and Diana will be there too.”
She brightened at the suggestion. “That sounds dreamy.”
“On one condition,” I said.
Her brows furrowed. “What condition?”
“I get to pick your bikini.”
She rolled her eyes. “Hayes, I’d really rather not parade around in a bikini in front of your family. Especially the bikinis you brought on this trip.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I said, standing and heading to her suitcase. I pulled out a bright coral bikini I’d bought for her and held it up. “This. And the cover-up that goes with it. Oh, and these sandals.”
She shook her head, but there was a smile playing on her lips. “You know, I’ve never had a man care enough to dress me before.”
I walked over and tipped her chin up with my finger. “I’d do everything for you if you let me.”
Then she broke the spell by laughing and shooing me toward the bathroom. “Fine. But if anyone stares, I’m holding you responsible. I don’t want them thinking I work as a stripper part-time.”
“You’ve been stripping quite a bit for me,” I teased.
She rolled her eyes and tossed a napkin at me. “With the bikinis you brought along, there’s no need to strip. I’m practically going to be naked.”
“Not naked. The best bits are covered.”
We finished our breakfast. She went into the bathroom to shower and get ready. When she stepped out in the outfit I chose for her, I seriously considered scrapping everything and pulling her right back into bed. But that would have been selfish. She deserved to enjoy all the island had to offer.
We made our way to the main house, where the newest arrivals were already settling in. Jett and Winslet were chatting in the kitchen, their presence as effortless as always. Jett was inspecting the breakfast spread with suspicion, his brow furrowed as Winslet hovered beside him.
“Jett, it’s a croissant,” Winslet said, exasperated. “Not a booby trap. This is supposed to be a vacation,” she added, turning to Dixie with a bright smile. “Ignore him. He’s always like this. I’m Winslet, by the way.”
Dixie shook her hand, returning the smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“That’s Jett, AKA Sherlock Holmes,” I said.
Jett looked up, then glanced from Dixie to me and then back to her. “You brought a woman?”
Winslet smacked him. “He didn’t find her on the beach like a seashell.”
“Sorry,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Now, someone show me where the pool is so I can get out of work mode,” Winslet said.
Dixie laughed. “I was just heading there. Come with me.”
The two of them headed off, leaving me with Jett, whose watchful eyes lingered on me.
“Doesn’t take a detective to figure out what’s going on here,” Jett joked.
“What?” I asked, feigning ignorance.
“Spot on,” Isaac said, sauntering in. “Hayes and Dixie sitting in a tree. K-I-S?—”
“Shut up,” I said, glaring at him. “You’re not wrong, but for the love of God, be original.”
Jett chuckled and shook his head. “Look at you, all lovestruck and defensive. Never thought I’d see the day.”
Isaac leaned against the counter, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. “Seriously, though, she seems great. But you better be careful, Hayes. If Kathy gets wind that you’re serious, we’ll all be planning a wedding by next week.”
“That’s not funny,” I muttered but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Kathy needs to chill with the matchmaking.”
Jett poured himself a cup of coffee and looked out the window toward the pool where Dixie and Winslet had disappeared. “Well, at least you picked someone who can handle our kind of crazy.”
“I did,” I said, watching them from afar. Their laughter carried over the breeze, making me feel more certain than ever about my feelings for Dixie. I shook it off. “So, are you guys back in the states for a while?” I asked Jett.
“Temporarily.”
“Are you on a big case?”
He flashed a grin. “Can’t talk about it.”
“Since when has that ever stopped you?” I said.
Jett laughed and sipped his coffee. “Ah, you know how it is. The less you know, the better you sleep at night.”
“He’s just trying to act all mysterious. Makes him feel like James Bond.”
“More like Miss Marple,” I said, joining in the banter.
Jett gave us a mock glare but couldn’t hide his amusement. “Either way, it keeps life interesting.”
“He’s probably on the hunt for someone’s lost dog,” Isaac teased.
“You guys going to the pool?” I asked.
Jett grabbed one of the croissants and nodded. “Let’s go.”
We walked toward the pool that was already barely controlled chaos. Hudson and Dane had arrived, their kids leading the charge with floaties, goggles, and an arsenal of water guns. Squeals of laughter filled the air as they splashed around. The adults lounged nearby with drinks in hand.
But my attention was fixed on Dixie.
She was stretched out on a beach chair in the bikini I’d picked, her skin bronzing under the sun. Beads of sweat glistened between her cleavage, and her hair was piled up in a messy bun that left her neck exposed.
I was so distracted by the view that I didn’t notice Isaac sneaking up behind me.
“Family-friendly event, man,” he said, smacking me in the balls.
I doubled over, groaning. “Bastard.”
“Keep it in your pants,” he said with a grin, walking off as if nothing had happened.
Despite the sting, I couldn’t help but smile. This crazy scene was everything I never knew I needed. And Dixie? She was at the center of it all for me. I shook off the sting in my groin and walked over to her. She had on dark shades, hiding her eyes.
As I approached, she lowered her sunglasses and flashed a grin that knocked me back a few steps in my mind. “Enjoying the view?” she teased, her voice a blend of amusement and flirtation.
I chuckled, settling down on the lounge chair beside her. “It’s not the worst,” I quipped, trying to play it cool even as my heart did a stupid little flip.
Dixie turned to face me, propping herself up on one elbow. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know, I should charge you for staring that long.”
“I’d go bankrupt,” I admitted.